Montgomery County will hold a remembrance ceremony and candlelight vigil on Thursday, Aug. 29, in Downtown Rockville to memorialize lives lost to substance use. The event will commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of overdoses and reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths.
In addition, the event will mark the launch of National Recovery Month, led by the community coalition “Montgomery Goes Purple.” This month-long observance highlights the importance of recovery and encourages individuals with mental health or substance use disorders to seek help.
In 2023, Maryland reported 2,513 overdose deaths, with 87 percent linked to fentanyl. Montgomery County accounted for 138 of those fatalities, according to the Maryland Department of Health.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. at Memorial Plaza, located at 101 Monroe Street (terrace between the Executive Office Building and Circuit Court), with a resource fair and free tours of the Community Opioid Prevention & Education (COPE) trailer. Registration is only required for those interested in providing information at the resource fair. During the event, attendees can enjoy live music from Eddy Viscosity and the Turbulent Core, a Gaithersburg-based group known for bluegrass, folk and popular music.
The launch of National Recovery Month will begin at 6 p.m. This observance celebrates recovery and encourages individuals with mental health or substance use disorders to seek recovery. The opioid epidemic and the disease of substance use disorder predated the COVID-19 pandemic, but the isolation and disruption caused by the pandemic exacerbated the crisis, especially among youth.
Following a brief intermission, family members and friends will remember loved ones and light candles in their honor at 7:30 p.m. Those wishing to have a loved one memorialized in a commemorative photo display can submit a photo (an individual photo with no one else in the picture). Submit photos and information here. The deadline for submissions is Monday, Aug. 26.
“As a community, we come together to honor the lives lost to the devastating impact of substance use, and we renew our commitment to supporting those on the path to recovery,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Whether it is your relative, neighbor, colleague or friend, substance use disorders can affect any one of us. International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month remind us that no one should face the challenges of addiction or mental health struggles alone. Montgomery County is dedicated to providing the resources and support needed to help our residents recover and lead fulfilling lives. Together, we can reduce the stigma, increase awareness and create a healthier, more compassionate community.”
National Recovery Month increases awareness and understanding of mental health and substance use disorders, reduces stigma and promotes messages that emphasize that behavioral health is essential to overall health—prevention works, treatment is effective and people recover. Vendors and media are asked to use appropriate language to reduce stigma.
The event is co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, the Circuit Court’s Adult Drug Court, the Office of State’s Attorney John McCarthy, the City of Rockville, Montgomery Goes Purple, Montgomery County Public Schools Go Purple, Rockville Goes Purple and Gaithersburg Goes Purple.
Free parking is available in the jury parking lot, which is located at the corner of East Jefferson and Monroe Streets in Rockville.
